Split Second and Responces

Asked by Minathia 13 years ago

If an opponent plays a spell with split second, can I sacrifice a creature as a part of a casting cost in response? If yes, does it being a mana ability affect the feasability?

The goal isn't to cast any spell or ability, just pay for it.

Example: I have an artifact creature and an oppent casts Krosan Grip, can I use Ashnod's Altar or Greater Good to trigger a sacrifice. I don't actually care if the ability resolves (i get mana or draw cards) or not, just my ability to sacrifice the creature.

hunter9000 says... #1

Ashnod's Altar's ability is a mana ability, so you could activate it in response. Greater Good's isn't though, so you couldn't activate it until Krosan Grip resolves.

February 3, 2012 2:03 p.m.

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #2

Split second means that while the spell or ability is on the stack, players may not cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities. (A mana ability is any ability that adds mana to a player's mana pool, but doesn't have a target and isn't a loyalty ability.)

Paying for a spell or ability is part of the process of casting or activating that ability. Therefore, you can't sacrifice the creature to pay for a cost unless that cost is part of the activation cost of a mana ability. Ashnod's Altar's ability may be activated, but Greater Good's ability may not be activated.

February 3, 2012 2:41 p.m.